Friends - how far do we go?

Friends generally show concern for one another and support one another through thick and thin.

In reality, how far does one go to show concern and support for one's friend?

If we see a friend engaging in an activity which could pose a danger to others, should we voice our concern and risk incurring the wrath of the friend and the friendship, or should we play the all supportive friend, irrespective of right or wrong and turn a blind eye to it?

In the event that, owing to our non-interference, whatever we feared would happen actually took place, do we then see our friend filled with remorse, and for ourselves, wouldn't it then be too late to be guilt-ridden?

Maybe I have a highly imaginative mind or acute fear of accidents, that when I see a precarious situation, I could almost 'see' in my mind's eye the unpleasant scenario. This is why, due to my own fear and concern for others, I am prompted to take preemptive measures, so much so that sometimes I incurred the wrath of others. Advices are only such and cannot be enforced.

To choose between risking a friendship and watching others suffer, I would prefer the former.

How much concern should we show a friend that we do not intrude into their privacy? True, sometimes we become over-enthusiastic that we failed to spare a thought for others' feelings. Because of our concern and unwitting insensitivity, we unintentionally caused a seed of negative thought to be planted in other's mind. As a consequence, the negative thought turned into words.

When we are led to see things from a different perspective, that we can reflect on our actions, would not that be our reflection from a new perspective that may help us to change our course of actions? Or would that be a direct attempt to change our habits?

旁 观者清, literally translated, it means that a bystander sees a clearer picture. Very often, we are so engrossed with ourselves and our tasks at hand that we failed to see beyond that.

Frequently, we let our minds wander and we drifted. For me, I am thankful that I have people around me, who with timely intervention, led me back to the right path. Of course everyone has their own preferences.

We already have perfect compassion, perfect wisdom, perfect joy. We only need to settle our minds so they can rise from deep within us.

Life is an illusion, a dream, a bubble, a shadow. Nothing is permanent. Nothing is worthy of anger. Nothing is worthy of dispute. Nothing.

There are three ways to correct our faults: We can change through behaviour. We can change through understanding. We can change from the heart.